Customers Say These Are The 11 Most Overpriced Burger Chains In America

As dining out begins to feel like more and more of a luxury for many people, finding the best value for their dollars is important for a myriad of reasons. That's why knowing which restaurants are overpriced helps keep their wallets safe and their tempers from flaring. Burger chains in particular are getting more expensive as beef prices rise. Over the past year, beef has gone up more than 12%, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

So, what's a burger lover to do? Aside from cooking a regular or smash burger at home, an increasing number of fast food restaurants are bringing back or expanding value menus, even if some customers will debate how much value they have. Just be sure to check the reviews for your local chains before you go to ensure you'll get the best meal. Otherwise, you might end up like some of the dissatisfied customers on this list who say these are the most overpriced burger chains in the country. Prices may vary.

The first Shake Shack was permanently opened in Madison Square Park in 2004 as a hot dog cart. It's still there today, and the chain has gone on to have over 400 locations worldwide. While the company has plenty of fans, it's also commonly cited as overpriced. In fact, the brand was named as the country's most expensive fast food chain in 2024.

The chain's signature ShackBurger costs $10.29 at a Park City, Utah location, and a simple hamburger is $9.29. The bacon cheeseburger is priced at $11.99, while an avocado bacon burger is $12.99. The gluten-free burger is $11.29, and an avocado bacon burger lettuce wrap will run guests $12.99.

Customers don't think the burgers justify their high costs, especially not for the portion sizes. One person said it was among the worst burgers they'd ever eaten, noting it was greasy, full of gristle, and flavorless. Guests have also reported overly salty patties that looked more like a slider portion than a full-size burger. Even those who enjoy the food don't believe it's worth the price, saying that other chains, like White Castle, offer better value.

One of the newest chains on this list, Smashburger has had plenty of controversy since opening in 2007. Aside from being sued by In-N-Out for copyright infringement over Smashburger's Triple Double burger, the latter restaurant was also accused of false advertising because of the promotion. The Triple Double burger claimed to have twice the beef in every bite, but In-N-Out noted the patties were half the usual weight, making the combined patties still weigh the same as a regular menu burger. The lawsuit was settled without anyone admitting wrongdoing, but customers still formed a class action against Smashburger for the same reason. And with Smashburger's prices, you can see why guests were upset to be misled.

A Destin, Florida location sells the classic smash for $8.89, while a double classic costs $11.39. A bacon stack smash is $11.19, and a barbecue bacon smash is slightly cheaper at $10.69. Both the Colorado smash, with green chiles and pepper jack cheese, and the truffle mushroom smash, with Swiss cheese and Cremini mushrooms, are priced at $11.19.

Customers report the burgers have incredibly thin patties, even for a smash burger, that are dry and salty. Others have received burnt beef and burgers without the toppings that were supposed to be included. Several guests also say the patties are small and the beef's quality wasn't worth the price.

It's no secret Five Guys has some of the most expensive burgers in the fast food world. It's also well known how many people are fans of the spot. The beef patties are handmade and famously are cooked without salt or pepper so the taste of the meat itself can shine. While many people consider the food's quality worth a higher cost, others don't agree the premium prices are justified. In fact, a $24 receipt for a double cheeseburger meal went viral in 2024, starting a debate over how much is too much for a burger.

So, how much does one of Five Guys burgers cost? At a Richmond, Virginia location, a little hamburger is priced at $7.89 and a little cheeseburger is $1 more. A bacon burger runs $11.69, while a bacon cheeseburger is $12.79. A regular hamburger and cheeseburger are $10.29 and $11.39, respectively.

Numerous customers are unhappy with the prices, citing poor customer service and dry, flavorless patties with buns that easily fall apart. People point out that the chain's prices are more than some sit-down restaurants, like Chili's, although others note that with the rising cost of fast food in general, the cost of Five Guys is close to other national brands.

Carl's Jr. first opened in 1941 as a hot dog cart and has since expanded into over 1,000 locations. The size of the company hasn't stopped it from having its troubles, however. In June 2026, one major franchise holder in California decided to close 10 stores and sell another 49 after filing for bankruptcy. This set of locations were losing over $600,000 per month, partly due to a lack of support and innovation from the parent company, according to the franchise holder. A lack of innovation wouldn't surprise many Carl's Jr. customers, just like the chain's deteriorating quality and rising prices.

At a Denver, Colorado location, a single Western bacon cheeseburger will cost you $6.79, while the double or triple versions are $9.09 and $11.09, respectively. A single El Diablo burger is $7.79, and the double option is $10.09. A single guacamole bacon option is $7.39, and the single famous star burger is $6.49.

The burger's downfall seem to be the beef patties, with guests calling them flavorless and stale. People note that with many of the combo meals cost more than some casual dining spots, and one former fan said they stopped patronizing the restaurant after they paid $25 for two burgers with fries. Combined with the burger's shrinking sizes, even those who enjoy the items tend to agree they're overpriced.

Jack in the Box is known for having the cheapest tacos in the fast food world. Founded in 1951 in San Diego, California, the chain has run into financial trouble recently and closed over 200 locations in 2025. Part of the reason for that is customers no longer being willing or able to pay premium prices for food they don't feel is high quality or a good value.

At a Culver City, California location, a bacon double smashed burger costs $11.59, and a classic smashed option is $9.59. A sourdough burger is a little cheaper at $7.99, while a bacon & Swiss buttery smashed burger is $10.59. Without the bacon, a buttery smashed version is priced at $9.79.

One reviewer tried the smashed burger and found the beef patty was overly salty and ultimately not worth the $9 price tag. Others complain the burgers are smaller than they used to be and are often dry. Multiple people are also unhappy the burgers they were served were cold and took a long time to prepare. The sourdough version is sometimes greasy enough to leave a puddle, and even those who enjoy the meals find it hard to justify the cost.

Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy's in late 1969. The fast food spot quickly became a nationwide behemoth famous for serving burgers with square patties, which Thomas said represented the business not cutting corners with its food. While the company serves fresh beef, the quality and value of the items has come into question in recent years, especially after a controversy where the chain allegedly attempted to introduce dynamic pricing. Those problems have combined to send Wendy's stock prices down to just over $6 in June of 2026 from $23 in 2021.

Numerous customers have reported being unhappy with the quality of the burgers, noting soggy lettuce and inaccurate orders. Several guests didn't receive the burgers they ordered at all. Some have sworn off the chain altogether after the prices rose too high, and one person said the combination of a Dave's single combo being over $10 caused them to stop going.

At a Purcell, Oklahoma location, the Dave's single burger costs $4.99, while the double and triple are $6.79 and $8.09 respectively. The Baconator is $8.19, and the pretzel bacon pub cheeseburger is priced at $6.99.

McDonalds is one of the oldest fast food chains in America. Dating back to the early 1950s, the company began in California before going nationwide. Today, there are over 36,000 locations across the world. The restaurant uses fresh beef for its burgers, but not everyone is a fan of the patties or the prices. In fact, the brand's CEO admitted the costs were keeping people away from the restaurant. Despite reintroducing its value menu, many customers, especially lower income guests, are switching to other fast food giants, like Burger King.

One East Boston, Massachusetts location allows customers to order through DoorDash for pickup and delivery. The prices on the website show a Big Mac costs $8.19, while a quarter pounder with cheese is $7.71. A double quarter pounder (which we ranked as the company's best burger) is $10.21, and the bacon quarter pounder option is priced at $9.99.

Numerous customers complain about the brand's prices for what they consider low-quality food. One person was particularly disappointed with the Big Arch burger when they found the food was cold right after purchase. Some people go as far as to call the food overpriced garbage, while other question why the costs have risen so much in general. Guests note they can often get better meals for the same price at competitors like Chili's or local restaurants.

Burger King is one of the country's largest fast food chains. Started in 1954, the restaurant is known for the highly customizable flame-broiled Whopper and a slightly creepy mascot. Although the chain has many loyal fans, there are also plenty of detractors who believe the company overcharges for low-quality food. Customers agree that prices are going up at nearly every fast food establishment, but say that BK raised its prices much faster than inflation supported. Guests note the costs rival chains like Five Guys and that many people are being priced out of buying burgers at the fast food restaurant.

The problem got so bad that early in 2026, Burger King updated the Whopper for the first time in 10 years. They upgraded the bun, added creamier mayonnaise, and changed the paper wrapper it came in to a cardboard box. While the new Whopper is getting some praise, it remains to be seen how the burger will affect the chain's overall bottom line.

At one Chicago, Illinois location, a regular Whopper costs $7.49, while the impossible version is $7.99. A double Whopper is priced at $9.49, and a triple is $10.99. The bacon king burger has two patties, two slices of cheese, and bacon for $13.49.

Since opening in 2011, BurgerFi has become known for its commitment to quality ingredients, including Angus beef that has no steroids, growth hormones, or antibiotics. It's also known for high prices, although fans appreciate the food's taste and think the quality is worth the extra cost.  Unfortunately for the chain, however, not enough people seem to agree on that. After aggressive expansion into over 75 locations, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2024 after closing a large portion of its franchises. Many people cited the restaurant's high cost for the declining sales.

A cheeseburger at BurgerFi's Athens, Georgia location costs $10.99, while the bacon cheeseburger increases to $12.99. The CEO Wagyu options is also $12.99, as is the rodeo burger with pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, barbecue sauce, and charred jalapeños. The beyond burger is slightly cheaper at $11.99.

Customers say that the food doesn't support the higher prices, especially when they can get larger portions for the same price elsewhere. Multiple people describe the burgers as mediocre or mid and express disappointment at having spent so much on them.

Mooyah is one of the most unusually named chains in the burger world. The company was started in Plano, Texas in the early 2000s and has spread its franchises into 20 states. The restaurant has a large menu, with lettuce-wrapped "lifestyle" burgers, gluten-free, and vegetarian options, in addition to specialty burgers. One Las Vegas, Nevada location sells a bacon cheeseburger for $9.49, while the double cheeseburger, called the MDC, costs $9.99. The double diablo included two Angus beef patties, bacon, pepper jack cheese, and jalapeños for $11.99. The indulgent BBQ burger costs $12.59, while the hamburdog, which has both beef patties and an all-beef frankfurter, is $12.19.

Even though fans say the burgers are tasty, many people don't believe the food is worth the price point. In fact, numerous customers have called the burgers overpriced, with one person saying the cost was unacceptable for the soggy food they'd received. Another guest agreed about the sogginess, noting their bun was saturated with sauce and that the patties had no flavor. Some compare the price to Five Guys and say the latter chain has better food overall. And while many people enjoy a Mooyah burger, they still report the size is too small to be so expensive.

If you don't live on the East or West Coast, Habit Burger & Grill might not be the most familiar chain on this list. It began in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969 and focuses on chargrilled burgers, chicken, and fish. The restaurant has exploded since the 1990s and grown to more than 380 locations, while gathering a loyal fan following.

At the Woodbridge, New Jersey location, a charburger is $6.19, while the double char starts at $7.99. If you want to add bacon or avocado, each will cost you around $2.00, so the burger can quickly become $12 without fries or a drink. The portabella char burger costs $7.89, and the barbecue bacon char costs $8.99.

But not everyone thinks the food is worth the price, despite the burgers generally getting good reviews. California burger lovers in particular compare the chain unfavorably with In-N-Out, which has cheaper fare and is far better seasoned according to multiple customers. Even those who enjoy a chargrilled Habit burger find the cost a bit high for what they say is a decently sized burger but ultimately is nothing special.

Deciding which burger chains should be on this list involved narrowing down a myriad of different brands. I had to examine several factors, such as the overall customer experience, the value and taste of the burgers, and, most importantly, price points.

I then consulted social media posts, comment threads, professional reviews, and user review sites. Only the burger chains with the most negative reviews and comments about the price and value of the burgers across several platforms were chosen to be on the final list.